Feminism

Today, I am heartbroken. It’s tough for me to believe that our cousins down south are filled with so much hate that they would elect a president like Trump. It breaks my heart that so many of them are cheering on all of his abusive, predatory, misogynistic, and racist behaviour.

But today, I also feel something unexpected: pride. I am proud of the 59+ million people who loudly decry his beliefs; of the millions of millennials who got out there and voted (and would have voted in a democrat landslide). I am proud of Hillary Clinton, who faced down the very embodiment of misogyny and came so incredibly close to triumphing over him.

I may not agree with every single thing Hillary has ever done, but you cannot tell me now that she isn’t relatable. We were all Hillary on those debate podiums, being called nasty women and being blamed for our partner’s indiscretions; we were all Hillary being called cold, robotic, and untrustworthy, even though all personal accounts show that we’re thoughtful, compassionate, and goofy.

We were all Hillary, being passed over for an unqualified white male despite years of experience that no one will acknowledge, and being asked to smile as it happened.

You know that feeling of “I don’t like her but I don’t know why” that overtook this election? That’s no more than your standard misogyny, folks. I felt it too. We didn’t trust her because we’ve been taught our entire lives that women cannot be trustworthy, responsible, or powerful, and we didn’t know why because we live within our own cultural rhetoric. It’s hard to see a culture when it is your only point of comparison, just like how it’s hard to see blue through a blue-tinted glass.

Sexism is alive and well in this world, and there is no amount of privilege that can cushion you from its effects. But millions of other people believe in compassion, and one day, our daughters will win this fight.

Today and all days, if you’re with her, I am with you. Know that you are our future, and you are loved.